Grizzlies Drop Middle Game to Jackals
Gateway gives up five runs in third, bats silenced late
PATERSON, N.J. – The Gateway Grizzlies lost 8-3 to the New Jersey Jackals in the middle game of their weekend series, dropping to 2-3 on their Atlantic Conference road trip with their second straight loss at Hinchliffe Stadium.
A leadoff error in the bottom of the first inning led fo a 1-0 Jackals lead, but Gateway would equalize in the top of the third on an RBI fielder's choice by Dale Thomas, knotting the score at 1-1.
Josh Dima (0-1), however, ran into trouble in the bottom of the frame. The left-hander walked three in the inning, including the leadoff batter, and gave up five total runs in the frame as Gateway fell behind 6-1.
They would get a pair of runs back in the top of the fifth inning thanks to an RBI groundout by Thomas after a double and stolen base by Sawyer Smith, followed by a solo home run by Bryson Horne that left the stadium entirely and made the score 6-3. But the Grizzlies bats were completely silenced the rest of the way, as they got no one on base from that point until the end of the game.
Meanwhile, the Jackals plated single runs in the fifth and sixth for the final margin, clinching the series.
The Grizzlies will look to conclude their long road trip and avoid a sweep on Sunday, June 21, with Gage Vailes getting the start on the bump against New Jersey left-hander Caleb Debban. First pitch at Hinchliffe Stadium is set for 1:05 p.m. CT.
The Gateway Grizzlies are a professional baseball team, located a mere 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis in Sauget, Illinois. The Grizzlies offer baseball fans affordable, family fun at Arsenal BG Ballpark with a great view of the St. Louis skyline. They have also won two Frontier League Organization of the Year Awards, four West Division titles, and the 2003 Frontier League Championship. For tickets or general information, please visit gatewaygrizzlies.com or call (618) 337-3000.
The Frontier League debuted in 1993, and is the largest of the Major League Baseball Partner Leagues, featuring teams stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from the Ohio River to the St. Lawrence Seaway. More information and the complete 2026 schedule can be found at frontierleague.com.